What’s happening with the major Wales stars you didn’t see during the Six Nations

Gareth Anscombe is taken from the field (Image: Ben Evans/Huw Evans Agency)

They are the leading Wales players who had sick notes during the Six Nations — who didn’t see a single minute of action as they were all off limits to Wayne Pivac.

Some of their injuries were more serious than others. Indeed, one player, Ellis Jenkins, hasn’t been seen on a rugby field since sustaining what his region Cardiff Blues described as a “significant” knee injury playing for Wales against South Africa in November 2018.

Gareth Anscombe is another long-term casualty.

Pivac will hope such individuals and others with orthopaedic issues are available to him for next season.

We checked on how things are progressing…

Jonathan Davies

There doesn’t appear to be a calendar on a wall anywhere with a date circled in red ink to indicate Davies’ planned comeback.

He underwent an operation after returning home from the World Cup with a serious injury to his left knee.

Wales and the Scarlets would welcome his return amid speculation that Hadleigh Parkes is moving to Japan to play his rugby.

When details of Davies’ injury were announced, it was suggested he would be out of action for at least six months.

But as time went by it became increasingly obvious the “at least” bit of the equation would become increasingly relevant, with there having been no plans for him to resume before the end of the original 2019-20 season.

The rugby shutdown amid the coronavirus pandemic has further complicated the picture.

How much has he been missed by Wales? A lot, and that’s despite the emergence of Nick Tompkins. Davies is 16st of rock-solid reassurance. He has vast experience, makes expert decisions and organises the defence intelligently.

The assumption is the Lions man of the series against New Zealand in 2017 is rehabbing but a precise date for his return is not yet available.

James Davies

A hip injury has sidelined Davies junior since the World Cup bronze-medal match against New Zealand.

He had appeared to be close to a comeback a few months ago, only to hit a problem trying to withstand the intensity of training.

An operation followed in March and since then the openside has been quietly rehabbing.

Eighteen months has passed since the Cardiff Blues flanker damaged cruciate ligaments playing for Wales against South Africa. For the avoidance of doubt, that’s a seriously long time in rugby terms.

Jenkins’ performance in that encounter with the Springboks underlined what his region and country are missing. He tore into rucks, supported well and seemed everyone at once. It was a display that suggested great things could be in prospect.

The injury has put all that on hold.

But, slowly, he seems to be heading in the right direction.

It’s not a precise science and there could yet be the odd hitch or two, but the Blues are quietly hopeful he will be in position to attempt a comeback when rugby resumes or thereabouts.